/*#*'•  ^ 


SERMON, 

DELIVERED  AT  MEDWAY, 

NOVEMBER  4,  1813, 

ON  THE 

CLOSE   OF   A  CENTURY. 

SINCE  THE 
INCORPORATION  OP  THE  TOWN. 


BY  LUTHER  WRIGHT,  A.M. 

PASTOR  OF  THE  FIRST  CHURCH  IN  SAID  TOWN- 


DEDHAM : 

PRINTED  AT  THE  GAZETTE  OFFICE 
1814. 


A 

SERMON, 

DELIVERED  AT  MEDWAY, 

NOVEMBER  4,  1813, 

OS  THE 

CLOSE   OF   A  CENTURY, 

t.INCE  THE 
INCORPORATION  OF  THE  TOWN. 


BY  LUTHER  WRIGHT,  A.M. 

PASTOR  OF  THE  FIRST  CHURCH  IN  SAID  TOWN- 


DEDHAM : 

PRINTED  AT  THE  GAZETTE  OFFICE, 
1814. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
AT  AMHERST 


UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

Special  Collections  &  Rare  Books 


rvey.  i^uther  Wright. 


CENTURY  SERMON 


Exodus  xii.  14. 

This  day  shall  be  unto  you  for  a  memorial. 

In  this  chapter  we  have  a  particular  account 
of  the  institution  of  the  Jewish  Passover,  a  solemn 
festival,  in  commemoration  of  God's  passing  over  or 
sparing  the  first-born  of  the  Israelites  from  immediate 
death,  while  in  a  sudden  and  wondrous  manner  he 
destroyed  "  all  the  first-born  in  the  land  of  Egypt, 
both  man  and  beast."  The  day,  in  which  this  event, 
so  distressing  to  the  Egyptians,  and  so  signally  pro- 
pitious to  the  oppressed  Israelites,  happened,  was  a 
memorable  day  in  the  Jewish  annals.  In  view  of 
this  miraculous  preservation  and  deliverance  of  God's 
chosen  people,  well  might  he  declare,  as  in  the  text, 
This  clay  shall  be  unto  you  for  a  memorial,  a  season  for 
commemorating  the  gracious  interposition  of  Heaven 
in  your  favor. 

We  are  assembled,  my  hearers,  in  the  sanctuary, 
for  the  purpose  not  of  commemorating  any  single  or 
particular  event  of  divine  Providence,  but  of  review- 
log  a  series  of  events,  which  have  occurred  in  the 
course  of  a  century  past,  in  particular  reference  to  this 
town  ;  and  which  compose  the  most  prominent  traits 
in  its  history.  As  this  day  completes  a  century,  add- 
ing eleven  days  for  the  alteration  of  style,   since  the 


legal  incorporation  of  this  town,  not  only  common 
usage,  but  propriety,  and  gratitude  to  our  bountiful 
Benefactor,  appear  to  require,  that  we  should  consider 
the  days  of  old,  the  years  of  ancient  times. 

It  is  not  only  gratifying  to  curiosity,  but  useful  and 
instructive,  to  examine  ancient  records,  and  collect  the 
most  remarkable  and  interesting  occurrences  which 
compose  the  history,  not  merely  of  states  and  king- 
doms, but  even  of  towns  and  parishes.  When  we  thus 
review,  and  consider  the  days  of  old,  the  years  of  many 
generations,  even  so  locally  restricted,  we  shall  see 
the  wisdom  and  goodness,  as  well  as  the  justice  and 
sovereignty  of  God,  manifested  towards  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  town  from  its  first  settlement  to  the  pres- 
ent period.  In  proportion  as  our  knowledge  of  the 
dispensations  of  divine  Providence  towards  this  people 
increases,  we  shall  find  occasion  to  love,  serve,  and 
obey  the  God  of  our  fathers.  Surely,  this  day  ought 
to  be  unto  us  for  a  memorial  of  divine  goodness  and 
merciful  interposition.  It  becomes  us  to  call  into 
grateful  recollection  the  work  of  the  Lord,  and  to 
consider  the  merciful  operations  of  his  hands.  God's 
ancient  covenant  people  were  required  to  remember 
the  days  of  old,  the  years  of  many  generations.  He 
enjoined  it  upon  them,  to  set  aside  certain  seasons,  for 
commemorating  the  wonderful  and  gracious  dispensa- 
tions of  his  Providence  towards  them.  Certain  it  is, 
that  "  God  established  a  testimony  in  Jacob,  and  ap- 
pointed a  law  in  Israel,  which  he  commanded  their 
fathers,  that  they  should  make  them  known  to  their 
children,  that  the  generation  to  come  might  know 
them,  even  the  children  which  should  be  born  ;  who 
should  arise  and  declare  them  to  their  children,  that 
they  might  set  their  hope  in  God,  and  not  forget  the 
works  of  God ;  but  keep  his  commandments." 


Happy  for  us,  if  a  review  of  some  of  the  most  inter- 
esting events  of  divine  Providence  towards  the  people 
of  this  town  should  he  instrumental  in  producing  these 
desirable  effects. 

Before  I  proceed,  suffer  me  to  premise,  that  the 
historical  sketch,  which  I  am  about  to  attempt,  will  he 
very  imperfect,  through  a  deficiency  of  documents  and 
records.  But  the  knowledge  of  such  facts  and  events 
as  I  have  been  able  to  obtain,  I  shall  endeavor  im- 
partially, fully,  and  correctly,  to  relate. 

That  territory,  which  note  includes  the  town  of 
Medfield,  was  originally  a  part  of  Dedham,  and 
known  by  the  name  of  Dedham  village.  At  the  time 
this  village  was  taken  from  Dedham,  that  jmrt  of 
Med  way  which  is  now  the  East  Parish*  in  said  town, 
and  which  before  was  unincorporated  territory,  was 
annexed  to  said  village,  and  incorporated  with  it  by 
the  General  Court,  May  S3,  1651,  by  the  name  of 
Medfield.  How  many  inhabitants  or  families  Mediield 
contained  at  the  time  of  its  incorporation  I  have  no 
documents  to  determine.  Although  its  situation  is 
very  pleasant,  its  soil  generally  fertile,  and  its  terri- 
tory well  watered  by  Charles  river  and  several  smaller 
streams,  its  settlement  must  have  been  greatly  retarded 
by  the  hostile  incursions  of  the  Indians.  About  one 
half  of  Medfield  was  burnt  by  the  Indians,  Feb.  21, 

1675,  and  eighteen  of  its  inhabitants  cruelly  slain.  Af- 
ter having  perpetrated  these  infernal  deeds,  tradition 
says,  they  crossed  Charles  river,  and  retired  to  a  ris- 
ing ground,  near  the  place  where  Mr.  Thomas  Morse 
now  lives,  and  there  indulged  their  savage  mirth. 

Between  the  1st  of  February  and  the  11th  of  May 

1676,  the  Indians  attempted  the  invasion  of  a  garrison, 
long  known  by  the  name  of  the  Stone  House,  and  sit- 

*  See  Note  (A). 


nated  neat  the  northeast  corner  of  this  town,  on  land 
now  owned  by  Mr.  Abner  Mason.  But  in  this  at- 
tempt they  met  with  a  notorious  repulse  at  Boggistor. 
a  small  hamlet,  or  company  of  farms  :  and  were  com- 
pelled to  abandon  the  enterprise. 

In  May  1659,  the  General  Court,  in  answer  to  a 
ion  of  the  inhabitants  of  Medfield.  granted  the 
town,  as  an  addition  to  their  former  bounds,  and  at 
the  west  end  thereof,  a  tract  of  land,  extending  two 
miles  east  and  west,  and  four  miles  north  and  south, 
provided  it  should  not  interfere  with  any  former 
grants :  and  Gapt  Lusher  and  Lieut.  Fisher  were  ap- 
pointed to  lay  out  the  said  grant.  This  territory  has 
ever  since  been  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  i\*eic 
Grant,  and  now  composes  (with  little  variation)  that 
part  of  the  West  Parish  in  Medway.  which  belongs 
to  this  town. 

When  this  town  was  a  part  of  Medfield.  I  am  in- 
formed, that  the  house  for  public  worship  stood  where. 
or  near  where,  the  house,  erected  for  the  same  purpose 
in  that  town,  now  stands.  There  was  no  prospect  of 
an  agreement,  by  which  the  meeting-house  rui°;ht  be 
removed  to  accommodate  the  inhabitants  situated  west 
of  Charles  river.  Besides,  the  local  situation  of  the 
town  was  such  as  to  render  it  inconvenient  for  the  re- 
mote inhabitants  of  the  town  to  assemble  at  one  place 
fof  public  worship.  Under  these  circumstances,  and 
taking  into  view  the  increasing  population  of  the  west 
part  of  the  town,  the  inhabitants  of  that  part  of  Med- 
field. which  is  now  Medway.  petitioned  to  be  set  off 
as  a  separate  town  :  and.  on  the  £4th  of  October  1713 
(0.  S.)  the  General  Court  granted  their  request.  It 
not  in  consequence  of  any  dislike  to  their  minis- 
.  oi  the  church  and  society  to  which  they  belonged, 
or  any  difference  in  religious  sentiments,  that  they 


sought  a  separation  ;  but  that  they  and  their  posterity 
might  more  conveniently  enjoy  gospel  privileges. 

The  inhabitants  of  Medwny,  although  small  in 
number,  compared  with  their  present  stare,  and  their 
means  for  defraying  expenses  comparatively  scanty, 
soon  evinced  their  sense  of  the  importance  of  the  rcgu- 
lar  and  stated  administration  of  the  word  and  ordi- 
nances of  God  by  erecting,  in  the  year  1714,  the  next 
after  their  existence  as  a  town,  a  decent  and  com- 
modious house  for  public  worship. 

Mr.  David  Deming  preached  in  this  town,  as  a 
candidate  for  the  christian  ministry,  in  October  1714  ; 
and  received  a  call  to  settle  in  this  place,  as  a  public 
teacher  of  religion,  January  31,  1715,  ahout  fifteen 
months  after  its  legal  incorporation,  and  gave  his 
answer  in  the  affirmative  on  the  12th  of  September 
following.  He  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gos 
pel  ministry  in  this  town  on  the  third  Wednesday  of 
November  1715.  Unhappily  Mr.  Deming  left  no 
church  records,  of  which  I  could  ever  obtain  any  ac- 
count. In  consequence  of  this  failure  I  am  unable  to 
ascertain,  when  a  church  was  first  gathered  in  this 
town,  of  whom,  and  of  what  number  it  was  composed. 
For  the  same  reason  I  am  unable  to  afford  you  any 
historical  account  of  ecclesiastical  transactions  during 
his  ministry.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Deming  was  dismissed, 
at  his  own  request,  by  the  church  and  town  assembled 
together,  September  %%  i7%%,  in  the  seventh  year  of 
his  ministry.  His  ministry  was  short;  and,  accord- 
ing to  tradition,  unhappy  for  himself,  and  for  the 
church  and  people  in  this  town. 

But  that  holy  and  merciful  Being,  who  regards  his 
church  and  people  as  the  apple  of  his  eye,  did  not 
long  permit  this  town  to  be  destitute  of  the  stated 
means    of    public,   religious    instruction.       On   the 


s 

23d  of  March  17&4,  the  town  concurred  with  thR 
church  in  calling  Mr.  Nathan  Bucknam  to  settle  with 
them  in  the  gospel  ministry.  Mr.  Bucknam  gave  an 
affirmative  answer  to  this  invitation,  on  the  24th  of 
October  following.  As  he  was  a  minor  when  he  re- 
ceived this  call,  it  is  said  he  delayed  his  answer  sev- 
eral months,  that  he  might  arrive  to  the  age  of  twenty, 
one  years,  previous  to  his  deciding  upon  a  subject  of 
such  magnitude  and  importance.  He  was  solemnly 
set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  christian  ministry  in  this 
town,  December  23,  1724.  This  wras  an  auspicious 
and  happy  day  to  the  inhabitants  of  this  town.  Al- 
though Mr.  Bucknam  was  young,  and  of  a  slender 
constitution,  he  was  mature  in  christian  knowledge 
and  experience,  and  strong  in  the  faith  and  hope  of 
the  gospel.  At  the  time  of  his  settlement  he  was  de- 
servedly considered  as  an  able,  pious,  and  promising 
young  man.  Much  was  hoped,  under  God,  through 
the  instrumentality  of  his  public  and  private  labors. 
Nor  were  these  hopes  and  expectations  disappointed. 
As  to  his  religious  sentiments,  they  were  Calvinistic, 
He  firmly  believed  in  those  doctrines,  which  arc  usual- 
ly called  the  doctrines  of  grace,  or  the  doctrines  of 
the  reformation.  These  he  faithfully  and  unequivo- 
cally preached;  and  these  were  the  ground  of  his 
consolation  and  hope  in  death.  He  was  diligent  and 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  all  ministerial  duties.  His 
people  loved  and  revered  him.  Few,  if  any,  minis- 
ters have  been  more  generally  and  deservedly  re- 
spected by  their  people  than  Mr.  Bucknam.  He  was 
small  in  stature,  but  of  grave  and  dignified  deport- 
ment. Although  he  was  a  man  of  quick  feelings,  and 
his  passions  easily  excited,  they  were  happily  control  - 
ed  through  the  influence  of  that  holy  religion,  which 
he  so  faithfully  and  so  earnestly  preached.    If  under 


0 

the  impulse  of  sudden  and  excited  feelings  lie  Some 
limes  spake  unadvisedly  with  Wfi  lips,  his  passions 
were  soon  calmed,   and  gave  way  to  the  dictates  of 
sober  reason  and  religion. 

But  notwithstanding  his  uniform  fidelity  and  en- 
gagedness,  as  a  minister  of  Christ,  we  have  account 
of  only  one  season  of  special  attention  to  the  great 
things  of  religion  and  the  soul,  under  his  ministry. 
In  the  year  1741,  when  there  was  such  a  general  re- 
vival of  religion  in  New-England,  this  town  shared 
in  the  good  work.  According  to  the  records  of  the 
church  in  that  memorable  year  37  persons  were  add- 
ed to  the  church  of  Christ  in  this  town,  14  of  whom 
were  admitted  at  the  same  time,  July  20th,  and  this 
whole  number  in  the  course  of  seven  months.  In  the 
next  year,  1742,  ten  persons  were  admitted  to  the 
communion  of  the  church.  This  was  undoubtedly  a 
season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
and  many  of  Ms  people  were  made  willing  in  the  day 
of  his  power.  Would  to  God,  that  such  seasons  of 
religious  attention  would  often  return,  and  replenish 
the  churches  of  Christ  in  this  town ! 

Previous  to  this  revival  of  religion,  it  was  a  season 
of  general  declension  and  lulcewarmness.  The  pas- 
tor and  church  being  deeply  affected,  as  I  trust,  by 
this  melancholy  consideration,  in  a  public  and  solemn 
manner,  renewed  covenant  with  God  and  each  other, 
October  8,  1736.  This  solemn  transaction,  which  is 
sanctioned  by  the  example  of  God's  ancient  covenant 
people,  and  by  the  practice  of  our  forefathers  upon 
special  occasions,  was,  we  have  reason  to  believe,  an 
offering  acceptable  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  church, 
and  was  followed  by  tokens  of  his  special  favor. 
When  Zion  travail  eth,  she  will  bring  forth  spiritual 
children. 


10 

A  few  years  after  the  religious  attention  above 
mentioned,  the  harmony  and  peace  of  the  town  were, 
for  a  season,  interrupted  by  those  discussions  and 
events,  which  finally  issued  in  a  separation  of  the 
town  into  two  distinct  parishes.  The  first  meeting- 
house, erected  in  the  town,  sto©d  where  the  house  in 
which  we  are  now  assembled  stands,  which  is  remote 
from  the  centre  of  the  town.  Besides,  the  town  has 
a  natural  division  from  north  to  south,  called  Black 
Swamp.  As  there  was  no  road  passing  from  the 
west  to  the  east  part  of  the  town  near  the  centre  of 
this  swamp,  the  west,  and  particularly  the  northwest 
part  of  the  town,  were  subjected  to  great  inconve- 
nience in  attending  public  worship,  where  the  meet- 
ing-house was  situated.  Hence  several  persons  in 
the  northwest  part  of  the  town  petitioned  the  General 
Court  to  be  set  off  from  Medway,  and  to  be  annexed 
to  Holliston,  there  to  attend  and  support  public  wor- 
ship. In  this  attempt,  however,  they  failed.  At  length 
that  part  of  Medway  called  the  New  Grant  (a  few 
families  excepted)  together  with  a  number  of  persons 
belonging  to  the  westerly  precinct  in  Wrentham  (now 
Franklin)  in  conjunction  with  a  considerable  number 
of  inhabitants  belonging  to  Bellingham  and  Holliston, 
petitioned  the  Legislature  to  be  set  off  from  their  re- 
spective towns  and  precincts,  and  to  be  made  a  sepa- 
rate precinct.  Although  they  met  with  considerable 
opposition  in  the  prosecution  of  this  object,  the  prayer 
of  their  petition  (with  some  small  variation)  was  finally 
granted  ;  and  on  the  £9th  of  December  1748,  they 
obtained  an  act  of  incorporation,  by  the  name  of  the 
West  Precinct  in  Medway. 

The  first  meeting-house  in  this  town  was  burnt  in 
the  winter  of  1748,  by  some  person  unknown.  The 
frame  of  the  house,  in  which  we  are  now  convened. 


11 

was  erected  in  the  year  1749  :  and  the  building  fin- 
ished the  next  year.  The  frame  of  the  first  meeting- 
house in  the  West  Parish  in  this  town  was  raised  the 
sameyear,in  which  the  frame  of  this  house  was  erected, 
and  was  soon  after  finished.  These  meeting-houses, 
erected  about  the  same  time,  of  the  same  dimensions, 
12  feet  long  and  34  feet  wide,  witb  a  height  well  pro- 
portioned, were  finished  very  much  in  the  same  style. 
They  were  originally  very  decent  and  commodious 
buildings ;  and,  at  the  time  they  were  erected,  were 
considered  the  most  elegant  houses  of  public  worship 
in  this  vicinity.  Botb  their  external  and  internal  re- 
semblance to  eacb  other  has  ever  been  considered 
as  very  striking.  Another  resemblance  in  these  two 
bouses  we  anticipate  with  pleasure.  The  pleasing 
prospect  is,  tbat  they  will  soon  be  succeeded  by  others, 
more  convenient,  more  decent,  and  more  correspondent 
to  tbe  pecuniary  resources  of  the  respective  parishes. 

The  second  churcb  of  Christ  in  this  town  was  gath- 
ered October  %  1750,  by  the  Rev.  Nathan  Bucknam. 
Mr.  David  Thurston  received  an  invitation,  March  5. 
±752,  from  the  West  Parish  in  this  town,  to  settle 
with  them  in  the  christian  ministry,  gave  his  answer 
of  acceptance  April  29  following,  and  was  ordained 
to  the  important  work  June  23,  1752.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Bucknam  preached  his  ordination  sermon.  In  con- 
sequence of  ill  health,  and  of  difficulties  arising  in  the 
church  and  parish,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thurston  was  dis- 
missed at  his  own  request,  February  22, 1769,  in  the 
seventeenth  year  of  his  ministry.  In  the  spring  of 
the  year  1772  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Oxford, 
in  the  county  of  Worcester,  where  he  purchased  and 
cultivated  a  farm. 

On  the  28th  of  December  177^  the  West  Parish  in 
this  town  concurred  with  the  church  in  giving  a  call 


iz 

to  Mr.  David  Sanford  to  settle  with  them  in  the  gos- 
pel ministry.  This  invitation  he  answered  in  the  af- 
firmative February  13,  1773*  and  was  solemnly  con- 
secrated to  the  important  work  on  the  14th  of  April 
following.  The  Rev.  Stephen  West,  of  Stockbridge, 
preached  upon  the  interesting  occasion. 

Soon  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Sanford  unhappy 
difficulties  arose,  not  only  among  the  church  and  peo- 
ple of  which  he  was  pastor,  but  between  the  two 
churches  in  this  town.  Five  members  of  the  second 
church  in  this  town,  who  were  opposed  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Sanford,  on  account  of  his  religious  sentiments, 
and  who  absented  themselves  from  the  communion  of 
the  church,  were  soon  after  excommunicated.  These 
excommunicated  persons,  upon  their  request,  and 
agreeably  to  the  advice  of  an  ecclesiastical  council, 
called  by  them,  were  received,  October  2,  1778,  by 
the  first  church  in  this  town  to  their  fellowship  and 
communion.  In  consequence  of  this  procedure  of  the 
first  church,  the  second  church  soon  after  withdrew 
communion  from  them.  Several  unsuccessful  attempts 
were  afterwards  made  to  restore  fellowship  and  com- 
munion between  the  two  churches.  But  this  unhappy 
difficulty,  so  discordant  to  the  christian  character  and 
profession,  and  so  injurious  to  the  cause  of  Christ, 
continued  for  about  thirty-two  years.  The  difficulty 
was  finally  settled  through  the  instrumentality  of  the 
Rev.  Drs.  Prentiss  and  Emmons,  whose  judgment  and 
advice  were  requested  by  the  two  churches.  Thus,  to 
the  joy  and  satisfaction  of  all  Christians  among  us, 
mutual  fellowship  and  communion  were  restored  to 
these  churches.  This  interesting  event  took  place  in 
the  spring  of  the  year  1810,  a  few  weeks  before  the 
decease  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sanford ;  and,  T  trust,  much 
to  his  satisfaction. 


[\ 

In  stating  some  nf  the  principal  transactions  of  this 
painful  controversy,  I  hare  cautiously  endeavored  to 
express  no  opinion  of  my  own  respecting  its'  merits. 
I  may,  however,  venture  to  observe,  that,  in  the  course 
of  this  controversy  of  thirty-two  years,  mutual  blame 
was  undoubtedly  contracted.  Consequently  there 
ought  to  be  mutual  humiliation  with  the  churches  be- 
fore God,  and  mutual  and  prayerful  endeavors  to  avoid 
every  occasion  of  offence  in  future.  Long  may  these 
churches  of  Christ  know  by  happy  experience,  how 
good  and  howr  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  live  to- 
gether in  harmony,  fellowship,  and  peace.  May  sea- 
sons of  refreshing  from  the  divine  presence  visit  them ; 
and  may  they  be  purified,  enlarged,  and  built  up  in 
the  faith  and  hope  of  the  gospel. 

On  the  3d  of  October  1807,  Mr.  Sanford  received 
a  paralytic  stroke,  which  threatened  immediate  dis- 
solution, and  instantly  terminated  his  public  labors. 
He  revived,  however,  in  some  degree,  but  lingered  in 
a  distressed  state  till  April  7?  1810,  when,  I  trust, 
he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  "Blessed  are  the  dead,  who 
die  in  the  Lord  :  for  they  rest  from  their  labors,  and 
their  works  do  follow  them."  He  died  in  the  sev- 
entv-third  year  of  his  ase,  and  in  the  thirl  v  seventh 
of  his  ministry. 

Dr.  Emmons,  in  his  sermon,  preached  at  the  fune- 
ral of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sanford,  observes,  "  The  Author 
of  nature  endued  Mr.  Sanford  with  a  rich  variety 
of  rare  and  superior  talents.  He  possessed  a  quick 
apprehension,  a  clear  and  sound  judgment,  a  lively 
imagination,  and  an  uncommon  knowledge  of  human 
nature.  These  intellectual  powers,  sanctified  by  di^ 
vine  grace,  fitted  him  to  shine  with  peculiar  lustre  in 
every  branch  of  his  ministerial  office.  Though  for 
several  years  after  his  ordination,  he  had  but  little 


14 

success,  and  only  now  and  then  a  single  individual 
was  hopefully  converted,  yet  in  the  years  1784  and 
1785,  there  was  a  great  and  general  effusion  of  the 
tlivine  Spirit  upon  his  people,  and  a  very  large  num- 
ber, considering  the  extent  of  his  parish,  gave  satis- 
factory evidence  of  a  saving  change,  and  made  a  pub- 
lic profession  of  religion." 

It  is  now  about  three  years  and  seven  months  since 
the  decease  of  this  faithful  minister  of  Christ.  Since 
that  period  the  church  and  people  in  the  West  Parish 
have  been  destitute  of  a  settled  minister.  Most  of  the 
time,  however,  they  have  been  supplied  by  candidates 
for  the  ministry  of  great  respectability.  May  the  great 
Repairer  of  breaches  send  them  a  faithful  minister, 
who  shall  unite  their  hearts  and  affections,  and  who 
shall  be  a  blessing  to  them  and  to  their  children. 

Under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thurston  79 
persons  were  admitted  into  the  church,  18  of  whom 
were  males,  and  61  females.  During  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Sanford' s  ministry  118  persons  were  received  to  the 
communion  of  the  church,  of  whom  47  were  males, 
and  71  females.  Eighty  of  this  number  were  added 
during  the  special  revival  of  religion,  which  com- 
menced in  November  1784.  Since  the  decease  of  Mr. 
Sanford  9  have  been  admitted  to  the  church.  The 
whole  number  received  into  the  second  church  in  this 
town  since  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Thurston,  their  first 
minister,  is  206. 

There  were  257  baptisms  under  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Thurston,  28  between  Mr.  Thurston ? s  dismission 
and  Mr.  Sanford' s  ordination,  286  under  the  ministry 
of  Mr.  Sanford,  and  2S  since  Mr.  San  ford's  death. 
Whole  number  of  baptisms  since  Mr.  Thurston's  set- 
tlement, 599.  Twenty-three  persons  have  owned  the 
covenant  with  a  view  to  receive  baptism  for  themselves 


10 

or  children,  or  been  admitted  to  what  is  sometimes 

called  the  half-way  covenant;  hut  nunc  since  the  set- 
tlement of  Mr.  San  ford. 

Nine  brethren  have  been  chosen  in  the  church  to 
Hie  office  of  deacon,  viz.  Nathaniel  Cutler,  Joseph  Hol- 
brook,  Jonathan  Metcalf,  Samuel  Fisher,  Moses  Hill, 
James  Morse,  Jonathan  Metcalf,  Joseph  Weare,  and 
Nathaniel  Cutler,  two  of  whom  now  officiate  in  that 
honorable  station. 

On  the  lith  of  June  last,  the  West  Parish  in  this 
town  erected  the  frame  of  a  new  meeting-house,  53  feet 
square,  and  29  feet  in  height,  together  with  a  projec- 
tion of  15  feet  by  30,  which  supports  an  elegant  cupola. 
The  outside  of  this  house  is  finished  in  a  style  of  neat- 
ness and  elegance,  which  reflects  much  credit  upon 
the  skill  of  its  master-builder.  The  inside  of  the 
building  is  in  a  state  of  forwardness,  and  will  proba- 
bly, in  the  course  of  a  few  months,  be  completely  fin- 
ished. It  redounds  much  to  the  honor  of  the  parish, 
that  they  have  engaged  in  the  building  of  a  house,  so 
commodious  and  elegant.  We  sincerely  regret,  that 
there  should  be  any  division,  respecting  the  place, 
upon  which  the  house  is  located.  We  sincerely  hope 
and  pray,  that  a  spirit  of  mutual  candor  and  concilia- 
tion will  prevail,  that  division  and  contention  may  sub- 
side, and  that  this  people  may  continue  to  worship 
together  in  unity  and  peace. 

But  to  return  to  the  history  of  the  East  Parish  in  this 
town, — the  Rev.  Mr.  Bucknam  continued  faithfully  to 
labor  among  his  people  in  word  and  doctrine,  until 
his  public  labors  were  suspended  by  old  age  and  bodi- 
ly infirmities.  He  was  unable  to  preach  for  ten  years 
previous  to  his  decease.  He  died  February  6, 1795,  in 
the  ninety-second  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  seventy 
first  of  his  ministry.  Although  he  survived  his  public 


16 

labors-,  he  did  not  survive  the  affections  and  respect 
of  his  people.  Indeed,  his  praise  was  in  all  the 
churches.  Many  now  present  wrere  witnesses  of  his 
fidelity  and  enlightened  zeal,  of  his  laborious  and 
persevering  exertions  to  promote  the  spiritual  interest 
of  the  people  of  his  charge.  His  memory  will  be 
cherished  with  respect  by  this  people. 

On  the  35th  of  June  1788,  Mr.  Benjamin  Green  wai 
ordained  colleague  pastor  of  the  first  church  in  this 
town,  and  was  dismissed  February  38,  1793,  having 
been  in  the  ministry  about  four  years  and  eight  months. 
Mr.  Buckuam  lived  about  two  years  after  the  dismis- 
sion of  Mr.  Green. 

The  circumstances,  under  which  Mr.  Green  was 
dismissed,  occasioned  an  unhappy  division  among  the 
people  in  this  parish.  More  than  twenty  candidates 
were  employed,  and  two  unsuccessful  attempts  were 
made,  before  the  settlement  of  your  present  minister 
in  this  parish.  On  the  35th  of  June  1797;  which  was 
nine  years  to  a  day  from  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Green, 
the  speaker,  for  the  first  time,  addressed  you  from  this 
sacred  desk  on  an  exchange  with  Mr.  Wm.  Bigelow, 
a  candidate,  who  was  at  that  time  supplying  this  pul- 
pit. The  latter  part  of  July  following,  he  was  applied 
to,  and  supplied  the  desk  twelve  Sabbaths  in  succes- 
sion. Afterwards,  on  application,  he  went  to  Brent 
wood,  (N.  H.)  where  he  preached  for  several  months. 
While  preaching  in  that  place  he  received  a  call  from 
this  church,  bearing  date  January  4,  1798,  and  from 
the  parish,  dated  the  24th  of  the  same  month,  to 
settle  in  the  gospel  ministry  in  this  place.  As  soon  as 
his  health  and  engagements  would  admit,  lie  returned 
to  this  place,  and  after  serious  and  prayerful  delibera- 
tion answered  the  call  in  the  affirmative,  on  the  39th 
of  April  following.     On  the  13th  of  June  1798,  he 


17 

was  ordained  to  the  momentous  work  of  the  christian 
ministry.  The  Rev.  Moses  Adams,  of  Acton,  his  for- 
mer instructor,  his  worthy  friend  and  patron,  preached 
an  appropriate  discourse  on  the  occasion  from  Isaiah 
l.  7.  u  For  the  Lord  God  will  help  me,  therefore  shall 
I  not  be  confounded  ;  therefore  have  I  set  my  face 
like  a  fiint,  and  I  know  that  I  shall  not  be  ashamed." 
The  impressions,  excited  on  his  mind  upon  the 
solemn  occasion,  he  hopes,  will  never  be  forgotten. 
Your  present  minister,  my  dear  people,  has  been  la- 
boring among  you  with  much  imperfection  and  defi- 
ciency, but,  he  hopes,  with  sincerity  and  some  degree 
of  fidelity,  for  upwards  of  fifteen  years.  He  has  had 
his  joys  and  his  sorrows,  his  comforts  and  his  trials 
among  you.  Since  his  residence  in  this  place,  twice 
has  he  been  brought  apparently  io  the  confines  of  the 
grave  by  long,  painful,  and  distressing  illness.*  But 
his  life  has  been  protracted,  when  hope  itself  was 
ready  to  expire.  By  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the 
skilful,  generous,  and  well-directed  exertions  of  his 
physicians  and  attendants,  he  has  been  restored  to 
comfortable  health,  and  he  hopes  to  some  degree  of 
usefulness.  His  feeble  and  imperfect  labors  have 
been  attended  with  discouragement  and  sorrow.  He 
feels  conscious  of  being  the  unworthy  instrument  of 
little  good,  comparatively,  to  this  people.  But  he 
hopes  his  labors,  by  the  grace  of  God,  have  not  been 
wholly  in  vain.  He  has  had  more  than  usual  encour- 
agement for  the  year  past.  God  has  been  pleased,  he 
believes,  to  visit  this  place  with  the  special  effusions 
of  his  Holy  Spirit.  He  desires  to  rely,  for  the  success 
of  his  labors,  on  the  almighty  arm  of  that  holy  and 
merciful  Being,  ivhose  yeofle  shall  be  made  willing 
hi  the  day  of  his  poicer. 

•  See  Nffte  (B\ 
3 


Under  the  ministry  of  ttieBev.Mr.  Bucknam  about 
^07  persons  were  admitted  to  the  communion  of  the 
church  ;  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Green, 
11;  between  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Green  and  my 
(settlement,  5  ;  and  since  my  ordination,  36,  9  of  whom 
are  males  and  27  females.  The  whole  number  ad- 
mitted to  this  church  since  the  settlement  of  Mr. 
Bucknam  to  the  present  time,  a  period  of  about  eigh- 
ty-nine years,  is  about  S59. 

There  were  about  830  baptisms  under  the  ministry 
of  Mr.  Bucknam ;  about  37  under  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Green  ;  19  between  Mr.  Green's  dismission  and  my 
settlement ;  and  since  my  ordination,  103  ;  whole 
number  since  Mr.  Buck  nam's  ordination,  about  989. 
Under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Bucknam  117  persons 
were  admitted  to  the  bonds  of  the  covenant,  with  a 
view  to  receive  baptism  for  themselves  or  for  their 
children ;  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Green,  % ;  and 
since  my  settlement,  9;  but  none  since  May  18,  1800. 
Whole  number  admitted  to  the  bonds  of  the  covenant 
since  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Bucknam  to  the  present 
time,  128. 

According  to  the  records  of  the  church  14<  persons 
have  been  chosen  to  the  office  of  deacon,  three  of 
whom  are  now  living.* 

A  few  weeks  ago,  the  inhabitants  of  the  East  Pa- 
rish in  this  town  voted  to  build  a  new  meeting-house, 
fixed  upon  the  site,and  purchased  the  land,  with  greater 
unanimity  than  what  is  common  upon  such  interesting 
and  trying  occasions.  Those  persons,  who  differed 
in  opinion  from  the  majority  in  some  of  these  impor- 
tant decisions,  appear  to  exercise  a  spirit  of  candor 
and  accommodation  to  the  views  of  their  brethren, 
which  reflects  honor  upon  their  judgment  and  feelings. 

*  See  Note  (C). 


19 

Under  the s.e  propitious  circumstances,  may  we  not  in- 
dulge the  pleasing  hope,  that,  within  a  short  period, 
>ve  shall  be  favored  with  a  convenient  and  suitable 
house  foi*  public  worship,    together  with  continued 

harmony  and  peace  ?  Should  this  union,  in  building 
a  house  for  the  public  worship  of  God,  continue,  it 
will  be  honorary  to  the  parish,  and  worthy  of  the 
imitation  of  posterity. 

The  town  of  Medway  has  been  remarkably  favored 
with  health,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years,  since 
its  incorporation.  The  number  of  deaths,  which  stand 
upon  record  in  the  town-clerk's  office,  is  765-  It  is 
not  pretended,  however,  that  this  is  the  true  account 
of  the  number  of  deaths  in  this  town  for  the  century 
past.  The  number  is  undoubtedly  considerably  larger. 
It  is  deeply  to  be  regretted,  that  many  have  neglect- 
ed to  make  due  returns  of  deaths,  which  have  taken 
place  in  their  families.  The  first  death  in  this  town 
after  its  incorporation,  was  that  of  Sarah,  the  wife  of 
Josiah  Rockwood.     She  died  September  5,  1714. 

In  the  winter  of  1754,  a  very  mortal  and  distress- 
ing sickness  prevailed  in  this  town,  which  swept  away 
a  large  number  of  heads  of  families  and  others,  in  the 
space  of  a  few  Weeks.  From  the  9th  of  January  to 
the  9th  of  February  of  that  memorable  year,  nineteen 
persons  died.  The  disease  was  called  the  great  sick- 
ness in  Hollistow,  from  its  more  extensive  and  deso- 
lating ravages  in  that  town,  which  lies  contiguous  to 
Medway. — In  1775,  the  dysentary,  then  called  the 
camp  trouble,  greatly  prevailed  in  this,  as  well  as  in 
other  towns.  In  one  house  six  persons  died  in  the 
month  of  September,  who  were  of  three  generations 
Many  who  survived  the  disease  were  brought  to  the 
confines  of  the  grave. 


so 

The  number  of  deaths  in  the  East  Parish  of  this 
town  since  my  settlement,  embracing  a  period  of  about 
fifteen  years  and  five  months,  is  113,  which  is  an 
average  of  less  than  8  in  a  year.  Of  the  113,  thir- 
ty-one arrived  at  the  age  of  70  years  and  upwards. 
Of  the  31  persons,  who  lived  to  this  age,  14  lived  to 
the  age  of  SO  years  and  upwards.  Of  these  14,  who 
attained  to  the  age  of  80  years,  6  lived  to  the  age  of 
90  years  and  upwards.  The  eldest  of  this  number, 
Mr.  Henry  Daniels,  died  November  S3,  1806,  in  the 
99th  year  of  his  age.  From  these  and  other  facts, 
which  might  be  adduced,  it  is  obvious  to  infer,  that 
this  town  has  shared  largely  in  the  blessings  of  health 
and  longevity.— There  are  now  living  in  this  town 
106  persons  60  years  of  age  and  upwards.  Of  this 
number,  58  are  70  years  of  age  and  upwards  ;  of  this 
number,  14  are  80  years  old  and  upwards  ;  and  of 
these  14,  one  female,  the  widow  Mercy  Daniels,  is 
past  90  years  of  age. 

There  are  two  grave-yards  in  this  town.  The  one 
in  the  East  Parish  was  probably  selected,  and  used 
as  a  depository  for  the  dead,  before  the  incorporation 
of  the  town,  but  at  what  date  I  have  no  document  to 
determine.  It  is  said,  a  Mr.  Fairbanks  was  the  first 
person,  whose  remains  were  interred  therein. 

The  burying-yard  in  the  West  Parish  was  located 
for  that  purpose,  in  the  spring  of  the  year  17^0 ;  and, 
I  am  informed,  the  body  of  Eunice,  a  daughter  of  Mr. 
James  Partridge,  was  the  first  deposited  in  that  place. 
By  the  best  calculation,  that  can  be  made,  it  is  sup- 
posed that  the  bodies  of  about  430  persons  have  been 
buried  in  this  grave-yard. 

These  repositories  of  the  dead  contain  the  dust  of 
your  ancestors,  your  brothers  and  sisters,  your  beloved 


21 

offspring,  and  many  of  your  neighbors  and  dearest 
friends.  Over  their  graves  ninny  a  sii^h  lias  been  ut- 
tered, and  many  a  tear  shed.    They  will  never  return 

to  us  ;  but  we.  my  friends,  in  gradual  sue  cession,  must 
go  to  them  ! 

The  number  of  births  in  this  town,  since  its  incor- 
poration, cannot  be  ascertained,  through  a  neglect  of 
due  returns  to  the  town-clerk?s  office.  The  number  on 
record,  during  this  century,  is  as  follows  : — In  the 
first  twenty-five  years,  393  ;  in  the  second  twenty-five 
years,  595  ;  in  the  third  twenty-five  years,  700 ;  and  in 
the  fourth  twenty-five  years,  7^6 ;  whole  number,  2444. 

The  record  of  marriages  is  probably  correct,  and 
stands  thus  : — Married  by  the  Rev.  David  Deming, 
16  couples  ;  by  the  Rev.  Nathan  Bncknam,  233  ;  by 
the  Rev.  David  Thurston,  98  ;  by  the  Rev.  Benjamin 
Green,  15  ;  by  the  Rev.  David  Sanford,  195  ;  by  the 
Speaker,  95 ;  and  by  civil  magistrates,  8G ;  whole 
number  of  couples,  738. 

There  are,  and  have  been,  for  many  years,  five 
school-districts  in  this  town,  three  in  the  Eart  and 
two  in  the  West  Parish.  In  these  districts  there  are 
five  convenient  school-houses,  built  in  the  modern 
style  by  the  respective  districts.  In  these  houses  five 
schools  are  kept  as  much  as  seven  months,  upon  an 
average,  by  suitable  instructors,  at  the  expense  of  the 
town,  each  district  receiving  and  expending  the  money 
for  which  they  are  respectively  assessed  for  that  pur- 
pose. So  equal  is  the  distribution  of  property  in  the 
town,  that  the  difference  in  the  money  paid,  and  ex- 
pended in  each  district,  is  comparatively  small.  The 
local  situation  of  the  town  is  such  as  to  accommodate 
all  its  children  and  youth  in  these  fi\Q  districts,  four 
families  excepted  at  the  northwest  part  of  the  town, 
who  are  annexed  to  a  district  in  Holliston.     But  few 


as 

families  in  town  are  more  than  li  mile  distant  from 
a  school-house.  The  children  and  youth  enjoy  great 
privileges  for  education,  which  in  general  are  well 
improved. 

Although  from  local  situation  and  other  causes,  un- 
happy difficulties  and  disagreements  between  the  in- 
habitants of  the  two  parts  of  the  town  have  existed, 
and  formerly  greatly  interrupted  the  quietude  of  the 
town,  bappiiy  these  contentions  have  subsided  ;  and 
the  present  generation  appear  to  be  agreed  in  promot- 
ing each  other's  good,  and  the  best  interests  of  the 
town  in  general. 

By  agreement  two-thirds  of  the  town-meetings  are 
holden  in  the  East  Parish ;  that  is,  the  town  hold  all 
their  meetings  in  the  course  of  two  years  in  the  East 
Parish,  and  all  their  meetings  in  the  course  of  one 
year,  next  following,  in  the  West  Parish. 

Nine  persons  from  this  town  have  received  a  liberal 
education ;  and  three  are  now  students  in  Brown  Uni- 
versity at  Providence,* 

The  town  of  Medway  took  an  early  and  active  part 
in  favor -of  the  American  revolution,  which  commenced 
in  1775-  With  one  heart  and  one  mind,  with  a  very 
few  exceptions,  they  were  ready  to  resist  the  unjust 
and  oppressive  measures  and  pretensions  of  the  Brit- 
ish ministry.  They  willingly  furnished  their  propor- 
tion of  soldiers  through  the  revolutionary  struggle. 
They  were  ready  to  jeopardize  their  lives  and  their 
fortunes  in  the  sacred  cause  of  liberty.  Many  promis- 
ing young  men  from  this  town  willingly  left  their 
wives  and  children,  their  parents  and  friends,  to 
encounter  the  hardships  of  the  camp,  and  the  dan- 
gers of  the  field  of  battle  ;  nine  or  ten  of  whom  never 
returned,  but  died  in  the  service  of  their  country. 
*  See  Note  (D), 


There  are  some  traits  in  the  character  of  the  ancient 
inhabitants  of  this  town,  and  which  in  some  good  de- 
gree remain  in  their  descendants,  that  are  peculiarly 
laudable,  and  worthy  of  imitation. 

The  people  of  this  town  have  generally  been  frugal 
and  industrious,  sober  and  temperate.  They  have 
been  careful  in  making  contracts,  and  generally  pimc 
tual  in  fulfilling  them.  This  town  has  been  as  free 
from  those  nuisances,  called  tavern-haunters  and 
grog-shop  visitors,  as  perhaps  any  town  in  the  Com- 
monwealth.  And  it  is  to  the  honor  of  our  tavern 
keepers  and  store-keepers,  that,  generally,  they  have 
refused  to  harbor  idle,  dissipated,  and  intemperate 
persons. 

Most  of  the  inluibitants  arc  cultivators  of  the  soil ; 
and  by  industry  and  economy,  under  the  smiles  of 
Providence,  become  what  is  usually  denominated 
good-livers. 

There  are  twro  large  cotton  factories  and  a  woollen 
factory  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  town,  which  con- 
stantly employ  upwards  of  seventy  children  and  youth 
The  building  of  two  or  three  more  factories  in  this 
town  is  contemplated. 

Although  the  number  of  people,  who  may  be  de- 
nominated rich  among  us,  is  not  large,  the  people  in 
general  abound  in  all  the  necessaries  and  comforts  of 
life.  Through  the  smiles  of  Providence,  the  number 
of  poor  people  in  this  town  is  comparatively  small 
In  few,  if  in  any  towns,  is  there  a  more  equal  distri 
button  of  wealth,  than  in  this. 

The  number  of  poor  persons,  who  have  been  sup- 
ported at  the  expense  of  the  town,  has  always  been 
small.  The  number  of  paupers,  now  supported  i}y 
the  town,  is  four,  Avhich  is  said  to  be  more  than  the 
average  number  for  thirty  years  past.    Near  the  dof  \ 


m 

<tf  the  revolutionary  war,  and  for  ten  o£  more  yeart 
following,  when  the  pressure  of  taxes  was  severely 
felt  by  the  people,  the  town  was  wholly  exempt  from 
expense  on  account  of  the  poor.  It  is  to  the  honor  cf 
the  town,  that  such  paupers,  as  have  been  cast  upon 
it,  have  been  very  comfortably  supported.  Persons 
of  small  estates,  under  the  pressure  of  sickness  or 
other  misfortunes,  have  been  generally  assisted  by 
the  town,  by  the  partial,  or  entire  abatement  of  their 
taxes,  as  circumstances  required. 

The  people  of  this  town  ever  have  been,  and  still 
are,  very  tenacious  of  their  civil  rights  and  constitu- 
tional privileges.  They  have  ever  claimed  the  right 
of  discussing  political  subjects,  and  of  speaking  and 
acting  their  sentiments,  in  a  constitutional  manner 
This  privilege,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  they  never  will  re- 
linquish. Under  every  administration  of  our  national 
and  state  governments,  they  have  claimed  and  exer- 
cised the  right  of  examining,  and  judging  for  them- 
selves, concerning  the  conduct  and  measures  of  pub- 
lic men.  And  whatever  measures  of  government,  at 
any  period,  the  people  have  supposed  to  be  injurious 
to  the  public  weal,  they  have,  in  a  constitutional 
manner,  opposed. 

Although  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  have  not 
been  wholly  exempt  from  the  unhappy  effects  of  party 
spirit,  and  difference  of  opinion  on  political  sub^ 
jects  ;  yet  it  is  but  just  to  observe,  that  this  difference 
of  opinion  among  the  people  of  this  town  has  not  been 
attended  with  so  much  bitterness,  animosity,  and -ma- 
levolence, as  has  been  the  unhappy  case  in  many 
places.  Men  of  different  politics  have,  at  every  pe- 
riod,  been  chosen  to  fill  the  most  important  offices  in 
the  town,  when  the  respective  parties  were  very  un- 
equal in  number.  The  best  interests  of  the  town  have 


S3 

not  been  sacrificed  upon  the  altar  of  party  rancor  and 
resentment;  Generally  speaking,  the  people  are  Wil- 
ling that  their  neighbors,  that  persons  in  every  sta- 
tion or  profession,  should  exercise  the  same  constitu- 
tional rights^  w  hich  they  claim  for  themselves.  That 
party  feelings  and  error  might  wholly  subside,  and 
give  way  to  a  just  and  enlightened  zeal  for  the  honor 
and  prosperity  of  our  country,  is  most  devoutly  to  be 
desired. 

Thus,  my  hearers,  by  considerable  labor  and  at- 
tention on  my  own  part,  and  by  the  kind  assistance 
of  a  number  of  respectable  characters  among  us,*  I 
have  collected  this  historical  sketch  of  this  town.  I 
am  sensible  that  it  is  imperfect,  for  reasons  which 
have  already  been  mentioned ;  but,  I  trust,  not  es- 
sentially incorrect. 

Upon  a  reviewr  of  the  historical  facts  and  events, 
which  have  been  related,  some  interesting  reflections 
naturally  occur. 

1.  The  providential  care  and  goodness  of  God  to- 
wards the  people  of  this  town  has  been  peculiarly 
manifest,  and  demands  our  grateful  acknowledgments. 
He  has  given  to  this  people  a  fruitful  soil,  a  healthy 
and  pleasant  situation.  Their  numerous  wants  have 
been  supplied.  The  necessaries,  comforts,  and  many 
of  the  delights,  of  life  have  been  afforded  them.  In 
seasons  of  danger  and  distress,  their  watchful  Guardi- 
an has  appeared  for  their  relief,  comfort,  and  support. 
He  has  been  to  them  a  very  present  help  in  the  day 
of  trouble. 

But,  my  fellow-towsmen,  the  goodness  and  mercy 
of  our  God  has  not  been  confined  to  the  supply  of  our 
temporal  wants.    He  has  not  been  unmindful  of  your 
•  See  Nete  (B> 
4 


spiritual  and  eternal  interest.  You  have  been  favor- 
ed with  a  preached  gospel  from  the  beginning.  Al- 
though some  of  your  ministers  have  continued  but  a 
short  period  among  you,  and  their  ministry  was  un- 
happy and  unsuccessful,  you  have  not  been  destitute 
of  faithful  ministers.  Nor  have  their  labors  been  in 
vain  among  you.  God  has  poured  out  his  Spirit  upon 
this  people,  visited  them  with  special  seasons  of  re- 
freshing from  his  presence,  crowned  his  written  and 
preached  word  with  success,  and  watered  and  en- 
larged these  churches.  In  these  wondrous  displays 
of  divine  grace  the  peculiar  hand  of  God  is  to  be  ac- 
knowledged. In  view  of  the  many  temporal  and 
spiritual  blessings  conferred  upon  us,  we  have  abun- 
dant reason  to  exclaim  with  the  grateful  Psalmist, 
u  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul ;  and  all  that  is  within 
me  bless  his  holy  name.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, 
and  forget  not  all  his  benefits." 

%.  It  becomes  the  people  of  this  town  to  humble 
themselves  under  the  frowns  of  divine  Providence, 
which  they  and  their  fathers  have  experienced.  You 
have  received  evil,  as  well  as  good,  from  the  hand  of 
God.  You  have  not  been  exempt  from  the  evils  and 
calamities  of  the  present  life.  Sickness  and  death, 
sorrow  and  distress,  scarcity  and  temporary  want, 
have  at  seasons  prevailed  in  this,  in  common  with 
other,  places.  You  have  not  always  been  united, 
prosperous,  and  happy,  under  all  your  ministers. 
Three  ministers  have  been  dismissed  from  their  re- 
spective charges  in  this  town.  Divisions  and  unhappy 
controversies  have  arisen  in  the  respective  churches 
and  religious  societies,  at  different  periods  of  their 
history.  Viewing  these  as  the  fruits  and  effects  of  sin, 
of  a  misimprovement  of  privileges,  and  abuse  of  the 


divine  goodness*  ami  as  sent  in  righteous  chastise- 
ment from  a  holy,  just  and  merciful  God,  how  ought 
we  to  humble  ourselves  before  him,  and  acknowledge, 
thai  we  have  not  been  punished  as  our  iniquities  de- 
serve. Would  we  desire  to  escape  many  I'vils  in<  i 
dent  to  the  present  life,  or  he  favored  with  divine 
consolation  and  support  under  such  as  may  be  sent 
upon  us,  let  us  realize  our  dcpendance  upon  the  God 
of  our  fathers,  and  hy  a  sincere  confession  and  un- 
reserved renunciation  of  our  sins  conciliate  the  divine 
favor.  In  this  way  only  may  we  hope  for  pardon 
and  acceptance  through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ. 

3.  Upon  this  occasion  it  is  obvious  to  reflect  upon 
the  many  changes  and  the  great  events,  which  have 
taken  place  in  the  world,  in  the  course  of  the  century, 
which  this  day  closes  upon  us.  How  many  desolate 
ing  wars  have  been  waged;  how  many  revolutions 
effected;  what  torrents  of  blood  have  been  shed ;  how 
many  monarchs  dethroned ;  and  how  many  have  ac- 
ceded to  thrones  and  sceptres  !  How  many  illustrious 
and  eminent  characters  have  appeared  on  the  stage ! 
Among  them  we  mention  Washington,  whose  noble 
and  mighty  achievements,  whose  greatness,  patriot- 
ism, and  goodness  have  procured  him  a  pre-eminent 
rank  on  the  catalogue  of  fame  !  Many,  wonderful,  and 
important  have  been  the  discoveries  in  the  arts  and 
sciences  in  this  period.  Without  reverting  to  other 
countries,  what  great  changes  have  taken  place  in  this, 
in  its  settlement,  population,  manners,  customs,  and 
improvements ;  in  our  civil,  literary,  and  religious  in- 
stitutions.— This  century  has  witnessed  many  and  ex- 
tensive revivals  of  religion,  the  formation  of  many 
humane, benevolent,  missionary,  and  Bible  societies; 
the  extensive  spread  of  the  gospel,  not  only  in  \meri 


£8 

ca,  but  in  Europe,  Asia,  Africa,  and  the  most  distant 
isles  of  the  remotest  seas.  Guided  by  the  light  of 
divine  truth,  have  we  not  reason  to  apprehend,  that 
the  unparalleled  devastation  and  war,  which  are  now 
desolating  the  nations  of  the  earth,  will  soon,  under 
a  divine  influence,  serve  to  humble  and  reform  man- 
kind, and  prepare  them  for  the  reception  of  pure,  vi- 
tal Christianity.  Considering  the  astonishing  changes 
which  have  taken  place  in  the  civil,  moral,  and  reli- 
gious world,  in  the  course  of  twenty  years  past ;  con- 
sidering, on  the  one  hand,  the  great,  powerful,  and 
extensive  means  which  are  now  in  operation,  and  the 
unexampled  preparations  which  are  now  making  for 
the  destruction  of  mankind;  and  on  the  other,  the 
great  and  increasing  exertions  which  are  making  in 
this,  and  in  oilier  countries  to  send  the  gospel  of 
Christ  to  the  heathen  world,  and  to  revive  pure  reli- 
gion among  ourselves ;  and  considering  the  many, 
great,  and  animating  revivals  of  religion  by  which 
the  churches  of  Christ  have  been  enlarged  ;  I  say, 
taking  into  view  these  wonderful  changes,  appear- 
ances, and  events,  have  we  not  reason  to  apprehend, 
that  the  Great  Day  of  the  Lord  is  at  hand  ;  and  that 
soon  the  kingdoms  of  this  icorld  will  become  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 

4.  Let  us,  my  brethren  and  friends  of  this  town,  re- 
view for  a  moment  the  many,  great,  and  interesting 
changes,  which  have  occurred  among  us  in  the  course 
of  the  past  century.  The  inhabitants  of  this  town 
have  been  completely  changed.  The  congregation  of 
the  dead  has  been  swelled.  Our  fathers  and  the  proph- 
ets, where  are  they !  Where  now  are  the  first  inhabit- 
ants of  this  town?  Where  their  first  ministers?  Where 
the  first  members  of  these  churches  ?  Of  the  six  min- 


M 

isters  who  liave  been  settled  in  this  iown  four  are  num- 
bered with  the  dead  ;  and  he.  who  now  addresses  you, 
has  peculiar  reasons  to  expect  era  long  to  follow  his 
predecessors  to  the  house  appointed  for  all  Living. 
But  while  he  continues,  he  will  not  cease  to  feel  a 
lively  interest  in  the  temporal  and  spiritual  prosperity 
of  this  town,  in  which,  if  it  be  the  will  of  God,  be, 
would  willingly  spend  the  short  remainder  of  his 
days. — When  we  look  back  upon  the  past,  we  per- 
ceive that  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away, 
while  Jehovah  rcmaineth  the  same  yesterday,  to- 
day, and  for  ever. 

Finally,  my  hearers,  in  view  of  the  changes  and 
events  which  have  occurred  in  this  town  during  the 
past  century,  let  us,  in  imagination,  look  forward  a 
century  to  come.  That  period  will  soon  pass  away, 
and  where  will  it  find  us  ?  Not  among  the  living;  but 
the  dead — not  in  this  world  of  sin,  sorrow,  and  change; 
but  in  that  glorious  and  happy  world,  where  sorrow 
and  change  can  never  enter ;  or,  in  the  awful  regions 
of  endless  misery  and  despair.  In  a  little  time,  my 
respected  hearers,  we  shall  take  no  interest  in  the 
changes  and  events  of  this  world.  Soon  shall  we  be 
fixed  beyond  the  reach  of  change,  and  others  will  suc- 
ceed us. 

What  devolves  upon  us  is,  rightly  to  improve  the 
passing  moment,  to  live  near  to  God  in  the  exercise  of 
repentance,  faith,  and  holy  love — to  be  thankful  for 
his  mercies,  resigned  to  his  will,  and  obedient  to  his 
commands.  Let  it  be  our  great  and  constant  concern, 
that  our  example  and  improvements  be  worthy  of  the 
applause  and  imitation  of  the  generations  that  are  yet 
to  come.  Guided  by  the  light  of  divine  revelation,  let 
us  pass  the  time  of  our  pilgrimage  in  the  fear,  and 


30 

service  of  that  holy  and  merciful  Being,  who  has 
upheld  us  to  the  present  time.  Then  may  we  fear  no 
evil.  Then,  when  years  and  centuries  shall  be  no 
more ;  when  time  shall  be  swallowed  up  in  eternity, 
we  shall  be  admitted  to  behold  the  divine  presence, 
to  celebrate  his  praise,  and  enjoy  his  love  for  ever 
and  ever.     Amen. 


NOTES. 


(A) 

At  the  time  this  discourse  was  delivered,  the  author  consid- 
ered the  East  Parish  in  Medway,  agreeably  to  tradition  and 
general  belief,  as  originally  a  part  of  Dedham.  But  the  confi- 
dent opposite  opinion  of  Abner  Morse,  Esq.  has  led  him  to  a 
more  critical  and  thorough  examination  of  the  subject,  whicb 
has  issued  in  the  conviction,  that  no  part  of Medway  wa«  evcv 
a  part  of  that  town. — [See  page  5.] 

(B) 

In  August  1800,  the  author  was  attacked  by  a  severe  and  dis- 
tressing illness,  which  suspended  his  public  labors  about  four 
months.  In  the  course  of  that  period  he  was  the  subject  of  two 
painful,  but  successful,  surgical  operations,  performed  by  Dr. 
N.  Miller.  To  the  united  and  judicious  prescriptions  of  Doc- 
tors Miller  and  Richardson,  under  the  direction  and  blessing  of 
God,  at  this  season  of  danger  and  distress,  he  ascribes  the  res- 
toration of  his  health,  and  the  further  continuance  of  his  life. 

In  September  1807,  the  writer  was  again  attacked  by  a  vio- 
lent fever,  which  soon  exhausted  his  strength,  and  brought  him 
to  the  brink  of  the  grave.  But  the  efficacious  smiles  of  a  mer- 
ciful Providence  upon  the  seasonable  and  skilful  means  and  as- 
siduous attendance  of  the  same  physicians  restored  his  health.. 
and  prolonged  his  days.  This  sickness  caused  an  intermission 
of  his  public  services  for  nearly  live  months.  During  this  time, 
he  was  called  to  suffer  another  painful  operation. — [See page  17.] 

(C)_ 
Deacons  Asa  Daniels,  Simon  Hill,  and  Asa  Daniels,  jun. ;  the 
two  former,  through  the  infirmities  of  age  and  bodily  indisposi- 
tion, are  unable  to  perform  their  official  services. — [See  page  1 8.* 


&% 


(D) 

Graduated. 

College. 

Frofessioli 

Daniel  Adams, 

1774, 

Harvard, 

Divinity. 

John  Bullard, 

1776, 

Harvard, 

Divinity. 

David  Daniels, 

1776, 

Harvard, 

Mercantile 

Eli  Bullard, 

1787, 

Yale, 

Law, 

John  Morse, 

1791, 

Providence, 

Divinity. 

Ferdinand  Ellis, 

1802, 

Providence, 

Divinity. 

Timothy  Hammond,       1808, 

Harvard, 

Law. 

Elijah  Morse, 

1809, 

Providence, 

Law. 

Nathaniel  Lovell, 

1810, 

Harvard, 

Physic. 

Jasper  Adams,    "j 

Charles  Turner,  5- 

•  Students. 

Abner  Morse,     J 

[See  page  22.  J 

(E) 
The  author  here  gratefully  acknowledges  his  obligations  to 
Joseph  Lovell,  Esq.  town-clerk,  Deacon  Jonathan  Metcalf,  clerk 
of  the  Second  Church  in  this  town,  and  Abner  Morse,  Esq.  for 
their  kind  and  useful  assistance  in  the  examination  of  records* 
and  in  affording  him  many  documents  and  facts  necessary  to 
the  composition  of  this  discourse. — [Seepage  25.] 


